Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Marcier, Cahoe, Barragree, Muench, Miller, Anderson, and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderwomen Rohlfs and DeLahr

Alderman Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the January Treasures report and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the committee needs to discuss water and sewer rates. There was a lengthy discussion about the cost of giving employees pay rate increases per union contracts, maintaining the equipment, maintaining the treatment plant, the cost of chemicals and utilities. Mayor Allhands shared the last Berns and Clancey report the city of Watseka received Watseka, was ranked 53 out of 83 communities in the survey. Alderman Cahoe stated Loren has about $3.5 million dollars’ worth of projects on his desk right now to do and those can be done over time with increasing rates yearly. Alderman Anderson stated he also was in favor of raising rates because the money is staying in house and helping the residents with better underground infrastructure. He also stated if the city would have gone with Aqua a few years ago the current rates would be doubled or tripled. There was discussion about revisiting this every year or doing a 5-year plan. After some more discussion Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the Council to raise water and sewer rates 3.5% each year for the next 5 years and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the SUV that Code Enforcer Bill Walver uses needs to be replaced. Watseka Ford has received a Ford Maverick for $25,978. Bill would use Eric’s SUV and Eric would then take the truck. Alderman Cahoe stated he looked into a police package SUV but those run $39,000. Watseka Ford will give the city $200 for Bills’s SUV. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to purchase a 2024 Ford Maverick from Watseka Ford for $25,978.03 without competitive bid and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Cahoe stated the truck will be getting the bed liner sprayed in and a lid for an additional cost to be determined later.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to transfer $29,000 from 1-10-8000 into the audit fund 9-10-9000 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

Alderman Cahoe stated he has talked to Loren about some of the repairs that need to be done in the parks with playground equipment and dug outs. Alderman Cahoe would like to transfer $100,000 from the general fund into the Park fund to do those repairs. The committee is ok with this and it will be on the agenda for next week.

Mayor Allhands stated the committee has information from IDA about donating to them. The city has done this in the past. After a short discussion it was decided to donate $2500.00 this will also be on the agenda for next week.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to adjourn at 6:48 pm and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/finance-2-20-24.pdf